Scale



Oct. 15, 1929. w. F. s'rlMPsoN SCALE Filed Aug. 27, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet Oct. l5, 1929. w` F, sTlMPsON 1,731,326

#M I Strawn@ Oct. l5, 1929. w. sTlMPsON S CALE Filed Aug. 27, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet Oct. 15, 1929. w. F. sTlMPsoN SCALE Filed Aug. 27, 1923 5 SheetsTSheet 4 3141 nto@ MT/te r Ftima-n Oct. l5, 1929. w. F. sTlMPsoN 1,731,326

SCALE Filed Aug. 27, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITED STATESl WALTER F. STIMPSON, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY SCALE Application filed August 2,7, 1923. Serial No. 659,625.

The invention relates to scales and consists in various features of construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the scale;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the upper portion of the column;

Figure 2a is an enlarged detail of a portion of Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the lower portion of the column and the platform;

Figure 3a is an enlarged detail of a portion thereof;

Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of the base portion of the scale;

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through the lower portion of the column;

Figure (3 is a sectional plan view of the upper portion of the column;

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the base with the platform partly removed;

Figures 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views illustrating respectively in plan and sectional side elevation the operation of the. chart shifting mechanism;

Figures l0, 11, 12 and 13 are similar views showing different positions of adjustment.

The general type of scales to which my improvements are particularly applicable is that known as automatic, and in which the variable weighing force is produced by the deiicction of a pendulum weight. One of the features of the invention is the construction of this pendulum weight and the means by which it may be easily and accurately adjusted to compensate for any slowing or inaccuracy due to wear.

Another feature is the construction of the indicating mechanism and the means by which the indices are automatically changed upon the addition of weights.

till another feature is the construction of a tiltable beam frame which forms in effect a cap for the hollow supporting column.

Other features are the platform frame, the platform and associated parts, which are so constructed as to secure low cost of manufacture, and various advantages which will be specifically referred to.

In the construction of platform scales, it is usual to provide an annular base frame formed of cast metal and enclosing the platform levers upon which the platform is supported. A hollow column rises from one end of the base frame and the Vweighing and indicating mechanism is mounted within and upon this column. 1With my improved` construction the base frame is of skeleton construction and the platform is provided with 6o depending flanges for enclosing the frame and excluding dirt. Y

In detail, the base frame is preferably formed of angle bars A and B bent into annular form and connected by vertical struts C to form a Z-beam having an outwardly ein tending base flange D and an inwardly eX- tending top flange D. At one end this frame is preferably rounded and the connecting strut C is continuous to close the space between tlie angle bars. Above this portion the hollow column F is mounted, this being provided with a foot portion G that forms a cap or closure for the top of the frame. Within the frame are platform levers H and I of usual construction which support a platform frame J having depending feet K, The platform L is preferabiy formed of pressed sheet metal and is provided with depending skirt flanges M at the sides and one end for overlapping and enclosing t ie skeleton frame. It is further preferably provided with a central reinforcing bar L secured to its under side, the stem portion of which is engageable with notched bearings L2 at opposite ends of the frame J. This also serves as a positioning means for retaining the platform from lateral displacement. Thus lthe structure as just described is one which is exceedingly light and inexpensive to manufacture and the outwardly extending base flange G acts as a guard preventing any contact with the platform which might interfere with its freedom.

To permit of transporting the scale, it is usual to provide a wheel base with one. or 95 more swiveled castor wheels. lilith my improved construction these swiveled castor wheels are mounted upon the base G of the hollow column7 projecting downward there from and enclosed within the portion C of Cil the frame. ln detail, the base Gr is provided with depending bosses G bored for the passage of the shank N of the castor wheel bracket N', an anti-friction thrust bearing N2 being arranged between this bracket and the boss and the wheel N3 being journaled in the bracket. 'his avoids the necessity of providing other attachment fittings for the castors and simplifies the construction of the base frame.

rlhe hollow column F is preferably provided at its upper end with a flaring or fanshaped portion F upon which is mounted the beam frame O. This is preferably a casting forming in effect a cap for the column, being provided with depending skirt flanges which overlap and are slightly spaced from the walls of the column. The frame is centrally fulcrumed upon the column by inwardly projecting knife edge bearings l2 which engage V bearing blocks located in recesses in thev opposite walls of the column. Upwardly projecting posts O2 are arranged at opposite ends of the frame t) and the tarebeam O3 having the shiftable poise G2, is mounted upon these posts. There is also a portion G5 which extends centrally of the beam frame and holds the scale or chart for cooperating with the index hand. Thus the frame O performs the several functions of a cap for the column, a beam and an indicator chart carrying frame.

The beam frame O is connected with the platform levers by the steelyard rod Q, the upper portion of which is bifurcated and is provided with bearing loops Q forengaging inwardly extending knife edge bearings These knife edge bearings Q2, as well as the knife edO'e bearin s i? are attached to the C 7 frame O and for convenience 1n so attaching they are directly secured to plates Q2 detachably connected to opposite sides of the frame O. The sides of the frame O are cut away to provide clearance for the passage of these pivots and the plates Q2 are screwed or otherwise secured to the frame so as to be normally rigid therewith;

T he indicating mechanism comprises an arm R secured to and depending Vfrom the beam frame O on one side ofthe fulcrum and within the hollow column F. Near the lower end of this arm is a pivot bearing R for the index hand R2, which extends upward and has its upper end'exposed to view within the portion O5. rlhe hand R2 extends downward below the pivot R and is connected by a check link S toA an anchor bearing, forming, in effect, a fulcrum about which the hand turns. Provision is made for adjusting the radial distance between the pivot R and the link S,'this comprising bearing members S and S2 with which the opposite ends of the link have knifeedge pivotal engagement. yhese bearing members in turn are supported by center bearings S3 and S4, the one slidably engaging a socket and being yieldably pressed by a spring S5 and the other having a threaded engagement with its socket by which it may be adjusted vertically. The bearing S is secured as just described to the index hand R, while the bearing S2 is similarly secured to a bracket member S6 secured to the column F. The construction is such that by adjusting the threaded center members S4, he opposite ends of the link S may be raised or lowered, thereby changing the radial length between the pivot R and the link without altering the angular relation of the latter to the index hand.

lt is usual to provide automatic indicator scales with additional weights for increased weighing capacity. To automatically change the indicating mechanism when such weights ,are used, l have devised the following construction 'l a member secured at the center of theV beam frame O and providing a bearing with a vertically extending pivot T for engaging one or more auxiliary weight arms T2. The free ends of these weight arms are engageable with latch bearings 'lla andil on opposite ends of the beam so that by swinging the arms the weights may be shifted from one end of the beam to the other. U is a segmental Ahart or indicator scale within the portion G5 of the beam frame and adjacent tothe index hand R. rlhis is preferably bifurcated and has markings upon the reverse sides so that a reading may be taken either from the front or the back of the scale. Adjacent to each of these markings there is a window or opening U through which there is exposed an Vinner shiftable scale member U2. rlhis inner member is longitudinally slidable and isV connected by a linkage to the weight members T2. The arrangement is such that the swinging of either one or more of the weight members from one end of the beam to the other will effect the automatic adjustment of the member U2 so as to expose additional 'numerals through the windows U. This will change the indicated weightto correspond to the shifting ofweights on the beam. rnyY suitable linkage may be used for this purpose, but as shown the. individual weight .arms

`T2 are connected with eccentrics T5 and T,

which are connected to an evenleverTT centrally pivotally attached to the member U2.

Thus where onl one of the weights is swunO the adjustment of the member U2 will be sutlicient to Vexpose one set of numerals through the windows U', while the swinging of the second weightwill effect a further adjustment, exposing a different set of numerals, as shown in Figures 8 to 13.

The steelyard rod Q, is preferably connected to the platform Vlevers Ythrough an intermediate lever V controlled bv a dashaot V and it is also' connected through the medium of a yoke V2 and links V3 and V4 withl opa; eration, when a load is placed upon positely swinging pendulum weights lV and IV. It has been found that after a scale has been in use. it loses its sensitiveness and accuracy of indication, due doubtless to the slight wear inthe knife-edge pivots and other parts. Therefore, it is necessary from time to time to adjust the pendulum weights to compensate for this slowing of the scale. The amount of adjustment necessary is, how* over, so slight that it is diiiicult to accomplish the desired result by shifting of the main ball of the pendulum wei ghtand particularly where a pair of oppositely swinging pendulums are used it is difficult, when adJusting, to maintain perfect balance between the two. This di f'riculty I have overcome by providing each of the pendulum weights with a small ball or adjustable weight in addition to the main or large ball. In detail, each of the pendnlui'n i VYsights W and IV is provided ment of the latter has but slight effect in altering the total weight, and therefore a very line adjustment may be made to coin pensate for slight changes.

lVith the construction as described, in optlie platform L the platform levers will be depressed and through the connections descril' ed, will deflect the pendulum weights Wr and Vil oppositely until a balance is attained. At the. same time, the steelyard rod Q will rocs the beam frame O upon the pivot P, which in turn will swing the arm It. As has been described, the lower end of this arm R is pivotally connected to the pivot bearing R for the index hand R2, which is also connected to the check link S. The normal position of the parts when the platform is unloaded is such that the index hand is at the Zero end of the scale, but upon the tilting of the frame O this hand will be swung towards the opposite end unt-il the position of balance is reached. This will indicate the exact weight of the load on the platform unless the load is beyond the we'ghing capacity of the scale without additional weights. In such case one of the weighted arms T2 is swung from its normal position through a half revolution, where it will be arranged at the opposite end of the beam, as indicated in the diagrammatic views in Figures l0 and ll. Such movement will rock the even lever T7, which, through its connection with the inner chart U2, will shift the latter until one series of numerals is registered with the window openings U in the indicator chart U. its a result the reading of the chart is altered to add the weight of the shiftable weigh arm T 2. If the load is beyond the capacity of the scale with a single weight T2, the second weight may be swung in the manner described, the parts bejecting respectively inward and outward,

pose. lVith my constructiontthe s.. hand R2 is used for front and b1. ranged directly beneath the chart ii and U2 and exposed in an o the frame O. Thus all pos' nient of the hand are erp-rally vi frontand rear of the scale and the the hand is of suiiicient width to be a to the indices on said scale in front The mechanical construction ot is such as to secure ligh durability. while the arrangement tor wheels insures stabil 'v ind t e poi-tation to different positions on tue licor.

W' hat I claim as my invention is 1. In a scale, the combination with a 1 form, of platform supporting levers, a pod tal and weighing mechanism mounted thercni and connected with said platform levers. o i skeleton base frame on which said pcd al is mounted enclosing said platform levers c5 and a skirt depending from said platform to enclose said skeleton frame.

2. In a scale, the combination of a skele ton base frame and a platform having a depending skirt for enclosing said frame.

3. In. a scale, the combination with a east metal skeleton pedestal., of a wrought metal base frame on which said pedestal. is mount ed, platform supporting ,evers said frame and a platform having a de d' skirt for enclosing said frame and levers.

4. In a scale, the combination with a east metal pedestal provided with an intefoot portion, of a skeleton wrought me frame upon which the foot portion of s pedestal is mounted, platform levers w said frame and a platform having a depending skirt enclosing said skeleton fiume.

5. In a scale, the combination with a cast metal pedestal having a foot portion, of a base frame on which said pedestal. is mounted, said base frame formed of wrought metal and comprising spaced top and bottom annular sections and connecting struts herebetween.

6. In a Scale, a base frame Yformed of upper l-l and lower angle bars and struts conn-cc 'i c the same, the vertical flanges of sait an bars being in alignment and the horizon il flanges projecting respectively .inward and outward. il@

7 In a scale, a base frame coinprisi Y per and lower annular frame sections of .ingle cross section, the vertical. flanges thereof y ino in alignment and the lateral flanges proand spaced struts connecting said upper and lower frame portions.

8. ln a scale, a base frame comprising sp ced upper and lower annular members of angle bar cross section, a strip connecting the vertical flanges of said section extending around a portion of the frame, a pedestal supported on a portion connected by said strip, a platform supported on levers Within said frame and a depending skirt on said platform overlapping said frame and concealing the portion unenclosed by said strip.

9. 1n a scale, a base frame having a skeleton portion and a platform supported on levers Within said frame providedwith a depending s rirt for enclosing said skeleton portion.

10. 1n a scale, a base frame formed with a skeleton portion and an enclosed portion., a pedestal mounted on the enclosed portion, and a platform above the skeleton portion supported on levers Within the same and provided with a depending skirt for enclosing the same.

11. 1n a scale, a base frame formed of upper and louter annular sections including a substantially rectangular portion and a rounded end portion, a strip connecting sait sections in the rounded enc portion thereof, a pedestal Vmounted on said end portion and provided with a foot for covering the same, a platform above the rectangular portion supported on levers Within the frame, and a depending skirt on said platform for enclosthe portion uncovered by said strip.

12. 1n a scale, a base frame having' an outwardly extending flange at the bottom thereof and a platform supported on levers within said base frame having a depending skirt overlapping and spaced from the side Walls of said frame and Within the dimensions of saidflange. y

13. ln a scale, a skeleton base frame provided With an outwardly extending flange at the bottom thereof, a platform supported on levers Within said base frame having` a de'- pending skirt overlapping and spaced from the skeleton sides of said base frame and Within the dimensions of said outwardly extending` flange. Y Y

la. 1n a scale, a skeleton frame having van end portion thereof enclosed, aV pedestal mounted on the enclosed portion provided Y with a laterally extending footportion for covering the same, a platform supported on levers Within said frame overlapping said foot portion, and a skirt depending from said platform enclosingthe sides of said skeleton v frame thereabove, ofV a platform formed of I. sheet metal provided with depending flanges ing across between the sides of said platform y supporting frame, and a bearing on said platform supporting frame for engaging said cross bar and holding said platform from lateral displacement.

17. 1n a scale, the combination With an annular platform supporting frame, of a platform. formed of sheet metal extending across said frame, a reinforcing` bar secured to the under side of said platform and extending across said frame, and bearings on the oppo. site sides of said frame for engaging said cross bar and for retaining said platform from lateral displacement.

18. 1n a scale, the combination with a pedestal and an annular base frame to Which said pedestal is attached, of a castor Wheel rotatably mounted on said pedestal and enclosed Within said annular frame.

i9. 1n a scale, the combination With a pedcstal and an annular frame on one end of which said pedestal is mounted, of a castor wheel within said annular frame directly rotatably mounted on said pedestal With clearance for swinging within the frame.

20. 1n a scale, the combination with an annular base frame, of a pedestal provided With a laterally extending foot flange mounted upon and covering a portion of said frame, and a castor Wheel Within said frame directly rotatably mounted on said foot flange on said pedestal.

21. 1n a scale, the combination with an an- WALTER F. sri'MPsoN. 

